We’ve conditioned ourselves to this battle and sometimes wear the scars proudly. Over time however that scar tissue builds, making any forward movement painful.

I’m a man and like many others I’ve made a conscious effort to be the best man that I can be. I take this seriously and I know that I’m worth the effort. I, like you have my own demons. We all do and I’m not immune to being beaten, battered and bruised.

It’s just… I won’t quit.

At this point in my life I can’t quit.

I’ve quit before and know what that feels like. I don’t ever want to feel like that again. I don’t want to feel the shame, the loss and the defeat.

You have to “Kill the Quitter inside”. An excuse will fester inside you; breeding.

The Demon of a “Thousand Faces”

The demon isn’t covert. It comes straight at you. It might come at you wearing a face like one of these:

The relationship with your parents – “Am I going to be just like them”

Your current level of success in your job – “Am I really doing what I love” or “What have I been put on this earth to do”

The battle of fitness and diet – “Will I never look down and see my penis again” or “If only the potato chips weren’t so tasty”

Your sexuality – “What does intimacy really mean to me”

The relationship you have with God – “Do I have one” or “Do I need one”

Your relationship with yourself – “Have I lost contact with who I really am”

The demons are always there, in one form or another. Waiting for you to slip, to let them in and to lower your guard.

To understand how best to go up against these demons is going to be different for everyone but I’ve found success by sticking to these 3 strategies.

1. Look them in the eye

Photo Credit by kean kelly

The demon isn’t going away, likely it’s been with you for a long time. Just like that annoying pimple on your back that you can’t reach, this one too has to be popped.

Like any bully if you stand up tall, take a deep breath and look it in the eye, chances are it won’t look quite so powerful. It’ll actually shrink right before your eyes.

The thing that makes a demon so powerful is the baggage that comes with it. If you stand up and see it for what it really is it won’t seem so big, bad and ugly.

If it’s truly horrifying then you can see it on your terms and spend some time really looking at it. Questioning it. Probing it for weakness.

2. Be in a position of strength

Photo Credit by iamjlwarner

You can’t win when you don’t have the energy, will or time.

It’s pointless to try to battle a demon when you’re running on empty. These battles are important. We only have so much time here on this earth. Living the life we were meant to live means we have to win these battles and win them without losing too much in the process.

If we constantly go up against our foes while not being prepared, we lose. Plain and simple; the demon will find that weakness and kick your ass.

When you decide to battle, make sure you’ve taken the time to understand what tools are going to be needed. Be rested, well fueled and focused solely on the mission at hand. No distractions. Pack your rucksack with the supplies you need and head onto the field.

3. Take small bites

Photo credit by F. Bordalo

Sometimes the best way to eat an apple is one bite at a time.

It’s a rare that we solve our life’s problems in one day. Usually it takes time to work through the more complex issues of our life. Taking on our demons is no different. We may want the instant gratification but the reality is we have to earn it. I’ve found that by isolating small pieces of the bigger puzzle and solving them first is a sure-fire way to tackle and ultimately beat the bigger problem.

If you’ve looked your demon in the eye. Met it on a field of your choosing. You can now take apart its armor piece by piece before making your final push for the kill.

If you do that, you’ll succeed every time.

The Demons are important

I’ve come to understand mine. This isn’t to say that more don’t pop up once in a while.

When they do I have a strategy.

Hopefully one day they will abandon you in search of less formidable foe. If you remember the 3 strategies above you might have less stress surrounded with their constant presence.

Ground down and find that element of strength that allows you the ability to at least make it a fair fight.

I want to know what your demons are as well as the strategies you use to beat them. Respond in the comments below and give some advice.

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As always, I welcome all comments and thoughts.

If you’re finding “The 365 Effect” interesting click HERE and grab my 30 Days of Small Daily Actions and make sure to follow me on Instagram@the365effect or Twitter @the365effect for daily postings, videos and tips on how to make this year your best one ever.

Comments

Awesome post. This one really connected with me, as often I’ve seen them but not known how to deal with my own demons. Those strategies were easy to remember and manage, and I’ll be sure to use them the next time I find myself trapped.

I’m glad I came across this. I have serious demons…demons tellin me I won’t make it….demons tellin me that my man is cheating on me..these demons are serious and they are destroying me little by little. And I don’t want them to win. If they lose then I’ll be less depressed and less insecure about myself. Please feel free to send any info on fighting demons. I’m ready! Game face: on!

Keep up the fight – whatever that fight might be. The simple act of 1 or 2 small daily actions can “Move Mountains” when it comes to making positive change. Send me a note and lets talk more about slaying some of your demons. Best – Alan

My demons are getting worse because i hope that im getting close to finishing them once and for all,11 years is a long time to do battle just need to stay focused and pray i got the strength or even for god to give me the strength…

I have fought my demons. I have seen my demons eradicated. I have felt the release and have become anew. Only, they have returned. They are as much a part of you as your arms and legs. You say one must Look them in the eye, I’ll tell you that you’re not wrong about beating them. However, don’t expect them to ever go away. I prefer the old Cherokee legend:
ONE EVENING, AN ELDERLY
CHEROKEE BRAVE TOLD HIS
GRANDSON ABOUT A BATTLE THAT
GOES ON INSIDE PEOPLE.

HE SAID “MY SON, THE BATTLE IS
BETWEEN TWO ‘WOLVES’ INSIDE US ALL.
ONE IS EVIL. IT IS ANGER,
ENVY, JEALOUSY, SORROW,
REGRET, GREED, ARROGANCE,
SELF-PITY, GUILT, RESENTMENT,
INFERIORITY, LIES, FALSE PRIDE,
SUPERIORITY, AND EGO.

THE OTHER IS GOOD.
IT IS JOY, PEACE LOVE, HOPE SERENITY,
HUMILITY, KINDNESS, BENEVOLENCE,
EMPATHY, GENEROSITY,
TRUTH, COMPASSION AND FAITH.”

THE GRANDSON THOUGH ABOUT
IT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN ASKED
HIS GRANDFATHER:

“WHICH WOLF WINS?…”

THE OLD CHEROKEE SIMPLY REPLIED,
“THE ONE THAT YOU FEED”

You see, The Wolves… or the demons/angels exist because you exist. They are you. They will always be there, hungry.
Your methods are effective, I only wish to discern a very important point. The demon will never die, he may grow weary, he may stop fighting, he can lose the battle, but it only takes feeding him before he gains his strength and is ready for another battle.

I was fine and then suddenly I went into battle. I was told to not talk about it. I am not scared. I have almost completely gotten rid of everything. My attack lasted for a while and I am not losing my hair from stress. They almost killed me. DO NOT ISOLATE. Pray. I had a minor attack today and I am rallying up my army. Take care of yourself. Be around good people. Do things that make you HAPPY. Command that they leave. They can be scared of you but that takes time. I know a pastor they are terrified of. Don’t go at this alone and know that, yes, you can get rid of them. Put on your armor and fight righteously.

I’m still wandering between those strategies. Sometimes i feel like i’m lost between this huge fight inside of me. How can i win this battle and not get hurt? I am the good and the bad side of the war, i am the battlefield. I`m the winner and the loser. I`m what is left of this war and i know that i`m the problem and the solution. it`s been hard to get out of this maze with the right things to choose.